Maintaining the Family Milk Cow Naturally | Joshua Fuhrmann | HOA Podcast

Now that we have discussed how to choose a family milk cow, we are diving into how to keep your cow healthy the natural way. If approaching natural livestock care seems overwhelming to you, you will definitely want to join us for this episode because Joshua does an amazing job of explaining his holistic approach in simple terms. We address the most common fears cow owners have: mastitis, parasites, antibiotics, supporting the overall immune system, and more. As a farmer raising grass-fed A2A2 dairy cows in a holistic way, Joshua is a wealth of knowledge on raising the healthiest cows possible.
In this episode, we cover:
What A2A2 means and why it matters
Reasons why you might cull a cow when building your herd
Grass-fed genetics are more important than you think
Exploring some root causes of mastitis
The ramifications of using antibiotics in your cow
Simple and effective ways to treat mastitis at home
How to boost your cow’s immune system naturally
What minerals cows need and why you want to mix them yourself
Top three areas of health to assess your cow’s overall wellbeing
Beneficial and harmful grasses and forage for cows
Treating and preventing parasites naturally
ABOUT JOSHUA
Joshua Fuhrmann is a dairy farmer in Virginia raising a grass-fed A2A2 herd. Joshua loves cows and God's design for farming. Joshua offers phone consultations if you are interested in more information from him. You can also email or call the farm to get in touch with his family and learn more about farming and natural living. Visit www.ourfathersfarmva.com to learn more.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Selenium 90 from New Country Organics: www.newcountry...
Check out Kim Fuhrmann’s book Journey Back to Health: ourfathersfarm...
CONNECT
Joshua Fuhrmann
Website: ourfathersfarm...
Homesteaders of America
Website: homesteadersof...
Instagram: / homesteadersofamerica
Facebook: / homesteadersofamerica
KZbin: / homesteadersofamerica
Pinterest: / homesteadersusa
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023: homesteadersof...
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Listen to this podcast episode: anchor.fm/home...
View full show notes and transcript on the blog: homesteadersof...

[@QKJM19]

Finally a HOA I like😌

[@ProudPatriot007]

Thank you so much Joshua Fuhrmann! This interview taught me a ton about cows. I do not have a cow yet, but we have only been homesteading for 2 1/2 years. I'm very interested in getting a cow, but I want to learn all I can first and get things running smoothly before adding any other animals. We are really getting into a groove this year. I'm learning so much from this video. I feel like I hit a gold mine! I love to learn and I'm so happy to have found Homesteaders Of America. I'll be joining for sure. 🙏❤️🇺🇸

[@amycreed1244]

Hard work is an understatement

[@trulylynn9941]

My girl from Rain Country here on YT told me about A2/A2 powdered milk for emergency food. I also have an organic grass fed dairy I can purchase from my health food store. It is fantastic! I remember getting good milk back in the old days. Thank you both for the great information.

[@tommartin8155]

Another great interview. Learning all the time.

[@designindeb]

Amy, Here in California, Zoyzia was developed as a lawn turf. Zoyzia was also developed to keep Bermuda grass out of the lawn. Also, Zoyzia is very drought-tolerant. And yes, we've been in a severe drought for years out here in California.

[@KrusinTheSierra]

Where in California are you? I’m trying to find milk cow somewhere near me or in state

[@Dawna_Potter]

I’m in North Orange County and looking for a milk cow too, if anyone has information on one close.

[@Antonio_Martinez1]

Great episode!

[@jenniferdavis3483]

This was really great! Will listen again with a notepad.. thank you!

[@heelerridgefarm2366]

Just got our mid size Jersey about a month ago & this was very interesting!

[@morningglory3365]

Thank you Amy. Very good info.

[@1965gracebug]

I’m in central Illinois searching for an A2A2 Jersey Heifer to purchase for our 5 acre homestead. I will be a first time cow owner as well.

[@Ourlittlehomesteadlife]

Just listening to the intro, I never received a sticker decal when I paid for my membership. Haha. I'd love to have one so I can represent!

[@ka6148]

For getting DE into the cow we mix it with blackstrap molasses

[@nedhill1242]

It’s pronounced zoy like soy sha. Zoy-sha. It’s from Asia and likes very hot humid temperatures and direct sunlight. It’s really only used in the south and mostly for golf courses. They may use it in California as well. I grew up in South Carolina playing a little bit of golf.

[@cynthiagiles8849]

Question: How can you transition a young cow to grass only feed? Is transitioning their feed slowly to alfalfa and continuing grass and hay an option? I have a young milk cow about 8 months old and want her only on grass forage. She has access to grass and good quality hay. Thank you for your advice in advance! Great podcast!!

[@jakebredthauer5100]

Depends on genetics.

[@spoolsandbobbins]

What was she fed before?

[@cynthiagiles8849]

Thanks for the responses. I’ve managed to transition her slowly off grain over the hay with occasional alfalfa pellets and she is dong well.

[@tigar0485]

As a mother who has breastfed several babies; "...they can suck the life right out of her" hit home! 😂

[@marjoriedickson6537]

How do you spell the gentlemans name you mentioned so I can get his book. It sounded like Gerald Wray. Is this correct? Anybody?? Thanks

[@christinesory7832]

Well you figured that out

[@aethulwulfvonstopphen8013]

Cute baby. Way better than a dog.

[@christinesory7832]

Zoysia grass goes dormant

[@beverlykiltoff890]

This guy clearly doesn't understand basic scientific principles. The difference between bacteria and viruses for instance. And the use of diatomaceous earth to treat internal parasites? This has been studied and proven ineffective. Do careful research before following any thing he advises.

[@johndoh5182]

Uggghh. Every time I see soil turned for a crop that's not going to occupy hundreds of acres it saddens me. This is in no way a holistic approach to growing food for a homestead. It has it's places for growing grains which requires millions of acres to feed the world but other than that it's only useful purpose is fixing soil ONLY if it needs to be fixed when first converting the land to grow food. There is so much data now that shows the damage of turning soil and a wealth of data from many farmers who have moved to no dig about how well it works. The natural biome of the soil is critical for plant health. There is a symbiotic relationship between that biome and plants. Sorry couldn't even begin to watch the video because of the intro scenes showing soil being turned for potatoes. I know harvesting potatoes is a somewhat destructive process because you have to pull a large tuber out of the ground, but still. That should be the only destruction and the soil at least has months to recover before a new planting. You could also rotate potato because of how the soil is damaged at harvest. Or, plant a cover crop that can be killed easily before planting potato, and not killed by turning, but covering.

[@HomesteadersofAmerica]

Well, your approach isn't exactly correct. That entire clip that offended you so badly was a thick pad of zoysia grass which is impossible to break down without first tilling and then covering. One approach does not always fit every property, and it's best we not be so righteous in our own thinking that we cause someone else to think they aren't doing what's best for their land at that time. The plot has been covered for almost a year now and has broken down nicely. But would not bare fruitful potatoes until first tilled.

[@spoolsandbobbins]

🙄

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Fantastic talk! Thank you.